In this video I explain Internal Family Systems (IFS) and trauma. IFS is an evidence-based model of psychotherapy and the premise behind this model is that your mind is made up of different parts called managers, firefighters and exiles. In this video I explain the different parts of the personality plus the IFS concepts of polarisations, burdens and the container theory of the Self.

🔵 CHAPTERS

0:00 IFS and multiplicity
0:42 Manager parts
1:18 Burdens (introduction)
1:42 Firefighter parts
2:08 How burdens develop
2:31 No bad parts
2:49 Exiled parts
3:21 Parts and fear
4:12 Polarization
5:03 The Self
6:00 The Container Theory of the Self

🔵 INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS (IFS) BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

☐ Internal Family Systems by Richard C. Schwartz and Martha Sweezy: https://amzn.to/3DmFm6W

☐ Transcending Trauma: Healing Complex PTSD With Internal Family Systems by Frank Anderson: https://amzn.to/3Kjixn8

☐ No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz: https://amzn.to/3HDrTtT

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🔵 INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS (IFS) EXPLAINED

Managers are protective parts that control the outside world to keep you safe. They are vigilant in trying to prevent you from being triggered and flooded with emotion. Manager parts are typically critical, controlling, evaluating, plan in advance and apply clear strategies so bad things don’t happen.

Firefighters are also protective parts but they are very different from managers. Managers are very strategic and controlling but firefighters react automatically and powerfully without concern for consequences. Firefighters come out when there is an emergency and they try to put out the flames of emotion in whatever way they can. For some people this is eating, for someone else it may be alcohol, drugs, promiscuity or even suicide. Firefighters will resort to desperate measures with little regard to the damage to your health and your relationships. The primary aim of firefighters is to block feelings in whatever way they possibly can.

Exiles are the most sensitive part of your inner system.They are usually younger parts, parts that someone has hurt, shamed, betrayed or rejected. Exiles are your injured parts that are frozen in time, they hold traumatic memories, body sensations and emotions.

A concept at the core of IFS theory is the Self. This is present from birth and it is not actually considered a part as its something we are born with, this makes the Self a great inner leader. The self is characterised by the 8 c’s: compassion, curiosity, clarity, creativity, calm, confidence, courage, and connectedness. One of the aims of IFS is self-leadership, so rather than being controlled by your exiles, managers or fighter fighters, your Self is in charge. The Self can care for vulnerable parts and also lead discussions between parts. Under self-leadership parts will generally cooperate with each other but if there is a conflict the self will be there to mediate between the different parts.

🔵 WORK WITH LEWIS PSYCHOLOGY

If you'd like to work with Teresa, or a member of the Lewis Psychology team, please click on the links below:

☐ Lewis Psychology CIC (for face to face therapy): https://www.lewispsy.org.uk
☐ Lewis Psychology Online (for online therapy): https://lewispsyonline.co.uk

🔵 ABOUT TERESA LEWIS

Teresa Lewis is the founder and Director of Lewis Psychology and a Senior Accredited psychotherapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP Snr. Accred). Qualified in 1995, Teresa has been providing counselling and psychotherapy treatment for nearly 30 years. Teresa holds a masters degree in counselling and psychotherapy and is a qualified EMDR Practitioner having completed training accredited with EMDR Europe. Teresa is also a qualified adult educator and an accredited Mindfulness teacher As a recognised expert in her field Teresa is frequently asked to conduct editorial reviews and endorse counselling and psychotherapy books for international publishing houses.

☐ Email: [email protected]
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🔵 GRAPHICS AND THUMBNAIL

Thumbnail and graphics designed by Teresa Lewis. B-Roll video is used in strict compliance with the appropriate permissions and licenses required from Pexels.com and Canva.com in accordance with the YouTube Partner Program, Community guidelines and YouTube terms of service.

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